The girl straightened and blinked at Persephone.
Then her eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to be a bitch. It’s just a picture.”
The girl lifted her phone and snapped a photo. Her outburst had drawn attention, and as Persephone watched her storm off, she noticed several customers had their phones pointed in her direction. She covered her face with her hand.
Lexa leaned across the table, “This would be a great time to use your powers for nefarious reasons.”
“Didn’t you just criticize my use of magic for punishment?”
“Yeah but...she deserves it. She was an asshole.”
“I think it’s time to go,” Persephone said, reaching for her purse.
They left money on the table to cover their bill. Lexa looped her arm through Persephone’s as they exited the cafe. The sidewalks were teeming with employees returning to work, tourists, and street vendors. It was a hot but cloudy day, and the air smelled like roasting chestnuts, cigarettes, and coffee.
“Do you have time to stop by the office?” Lexa asked. “I can give you a tour.”
Persephone checked her watch. She still had thirty minutes before she had to be back at the Acropolis.
“I’d love that.”
She wanted to see where Lexa worked and, if she were being honest, explore. She’d felt embarrassed when Lexa had listed off facts about The Halcyon Project, none of which she knew.
Lexa officed out of a building called Alexandria Tower. It was the opposite of Nevernight with an all-glass and white marble exterior. Lexa held the door open for Persephone. Like every place Hades occupied, the interior was luxurious. The floors were veined marble, the receptionist desk a pool of black obsidian, and gold accents sparked amid the dark furniture. Persephone felt right at home.
A nymph seated behind the receptionist desk stood quickly. Like all her kind, she was beautiful—all sharp angles and wide eyes. She was a woodland nymph—a dryad, evident by her almond-colored hair, mossy eyes, and the faint green-tinge to her skin. These were the nymphs Persephone had spent the most time with growing up in the greenhouse. She’d never considered it before, but now she wondered if they were just as much prisoners of her mother as she was.
“Lady Persephone,” the woman at the desk bowed. “You honor us with your presence.”
Lexa giggled, and Persephone blushed.
“I’ve brought Persephone for a tour, Ivy.”
The dryad’s eyes widened, and Persephone got the impression she didn’t like being surprised.
“Oh, of course, Lady Persephone. First...can I get you anything? A glass of champagne or wine, perhaps?”
“Oh, no, thank you, Ivy. I have to return to work after this.”
“Let me make a few calls,” she said. “I’d prefer everything to be perfect before you go up.”
“It’s alright, Ivy,” Lexa said with a playful laugh. “Persephone doesn’t care.”
The dryad paled. Several months ago, this behavior would have made Persephone uncomfortable. It still gave her anxiety, but she recognized it for what it was—a servant of Hades wishing to please, and Persephone didn’t want to keep her from that, so she stepped in.
“Take your time, Ivy,” Persephone said. “In the interim, a water would be nice.”
The dryad smiled. “Right away, my lady.”
Persephone took a few steps away from the desk and swept the room. She loved the character of the building. It wasn’t as modern as Nevernight, boasting antique accents like glass doorknobs, gold heating grates, and a radiator. A formal seating area was arranged in front of a set of large windows that overlooked the street. Persephone paused in front of it, admiring the busy cityscape on the other side.
“I thought you weren’t thirsty,” said Lexa as she joined her by the window.
Persephone smiled and said, “You can never have enough water.”
“Really, what was that? I could have had this tour underway.”
The goddess sighed. “I’ve learned a few things since being in the Underworld, Lex. You see me as your best friend, so bringing me here means nothing but a bit of fun for you, but these people—they see me...differently.”
“You mean they see you as the Queen of the Underworld?”
She shrugged. That was definitely true of the residents of the Underworld. “They serve Hades, and no matter how much I argue, they seem to think they serve me by association.”
More than likely, because they were ordered too, she thought.
“Being of service pleases them. The more I fight it, the more I offend, I think.”
“Hmm,” Lexa said after a moment, and when Persephone looked at her friend, she found her smiling mischievously.
“What?” Persephone asked, skeptical.
“Nothing, Queen Persephone.”
Persephone rolled her eyes and Lexa laughed, turning away from the window.
Ivy intercepted them carrying a silver tray with two glasses of water.
“Today’s flavor is cucumber and ginger.”
Persephone took the glass and a napkin. She knew the dryad would be eager to know if she liked the drink, so she sipped it immediately.
“Hmm, very refreshing, Ivy, thank you.”
The nymph beamed and then handed Lexa a glass. Ivy disappeared once more and when she returned, she was still smiling, as if she were on a high.
“They’re ready for you, Lady Persephone, Lexa.”
Persephone’s stomach was suddenly in knots. She’d been able to handle this one interaction well, but would she do as well with more?
“Finally!” Lexa said unceremoniously.
As they ascended the stairs to the second floor, Persephone turned back to Ivy.
“Thank you, Ivy. I appreciate everything.”
She didn’t look long enough to register the nymph’s reaction as she followed Lexa up the stairs.
What they found when they got there stopped them in their tracks. The hall was lined on either side with employees who had stepped out of their glass offices to greet Persephone. There was also a man taking photos.
“Lady Persephone, it is an honor,” a woman approached. She was mortal and had a crown of black curls. She shook Persephone’s hand. “I’m Katerina, Director of The Cypress Foundation.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Persephone said.
“Please, allow me to tell you a few things about our progress. I’m sure you will be pleased.”
Persephone exchanged a look with Lexa. Her lips were pinched together, and her jaw clenched. This wasn’t what her friend had imagined when she’d suggested a tour. Persephone tried to ignore the sudden guilt that came with this whole experience. All Lexa had wanted to do was show off her new workplace, neither of them expecting to be treated this way. They’d have been better off coming here after hours.
Katerina narrated their walk, quoted some facts that Lexa had already shared. It was clear she had an elevator speech prepared for all situations.
“We were very excited when The Halcyon Project was announced,” Katerina said. “We’ve worked on several initiatives with Lord Hades, but never something quite like this.”
“Other projects?” Persephone promoted. This was news to her.
Katerina smiled. She seemed genuinely excited to have communicated something Persephone was unaware of, and explained, “The Halcyon Project is just one of many initiatives under The Cypress Foundation.”